With local restrictions being progressively lifted, but borders remaining closed, Tasmanians are out exploring their own, often overlooked, backyard.

DESTINATION WATERFRONT: Short city stroll full of fun and indulgence

Good deals are coming online and tourism operators are seeing visitors trickle back into places such as Corinna, Stanley, Penguin and Sheffield.

The Ship Inn at Stanley is offering three nights’ accommodation for the price of two, the Tas. Walking Club has a book now, pay later offer, Compass Hut at Melrose is offering a 30 per cent discount if you book for three nights or more, Strahan Village will cut 30 per cent off your bill if you stay two nights and Kittawa Lodge, on King Island, is cutting $100 a night off the cost of staying.

But West by North West CEO Tom Wooton said there would not be too many ultra-cheap deals going because the industry does not want to sell itself short despite the tough times.

“Anecdotally, accommodation places are offering some price discounts but they are also having a conversation about not having a race to the bottom,” Mr Wooton said.

Mr Wooton doesn’t think the region’s reputation as Tasmania’s coronavirus capital will have a lasting impact.

“There was a point in time obviously when people from other parts of the state were loathe to visit the region due to the outbreak connected with the North West Regional Hospital but I don’t think it will have a lasting impact,” Mr Wooton said.

“It would be pretty harsh if that is the case when the whole of the state is now COVID-19 free.

“I don’t believe other hot spots such as Milan and New York will see lasting tourism affects when this is all over so why should we be any different. Other places in Australia also experienced local clusters.”

RELATED NEWS:

17 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NORTH WEST REGIONAL HOSPITAL

HOW THE VIRUS SPREAD THROUGH THE NORTH-WEST

EDITORIAL: WE’VE LEARNT MANY LESSONS, WITH MORE TO COME

Cradle Coast Authority CEO Daryl Connelly said accommodation and food services businesses had been doing it tough with 34 per cent of those who took part in the authority’s COVID-19 impact survey predicting long-term financial difficulties.

More than a quarter of the 150 businesses that took part said some staff who had been let go during the health emergency were unlikely to be rehired.

The survey also asked business operators what would help them recover and that information will inform the CCA’s post-COVID-19 work and be shared with others.

“We have matched a number of tourism businesses with free mentors as part of our recovery work, and hope that the Coastal Pathway and our award-winning Tasmania television series, which is currently being aired, will help the industry get back on its feet,” Mr Connelly said.

Corrinna Wilderness Experience is back in business after being closed since March 29 and looking forward to a very busy summer.

“We reopened on June 5 and we have had many people staying and many others travelling through as they get back out and about,’ Matt Coxon said.

“Of course they are all Tasmanians at this stage. But good local traffic will see us survive until the borders are reopened and then mainland visitors will help us through August and September.

“Then I expect it will be totally mad in summer.”

Things are also getting busier in Stanley where it has been deathly quiet since late March.

“Our restaurant bookings are similar to last winter but accommodation bookings are definitely still down,” a spokeswoman from the Stanley Hotel said.

“It appears people from across the state are getting out into other areas with customers from the East Coast and Hobart in town recently. We are now just hoping the school holidays will see families and other groups stay for a few days or a week rather than just a quick visit.”

Mr Wooton said weekend traffic was returning and the region needed to build on that.

“I genuinely believe we have an opportunity while Tasmanians are restricted to travelling within the state to really hold our own. Tasmanians will want to go somewhere different, and in that context, we can be that point of difference.

“We get acclaim for what we have to offer from the other side of the world but many people in Tasmania have not ventured far outside where they live. Now is the time for that to change.

“King Island has done it really tough. Let’s hope Tasmanians remember King Island is part of this state and easy to get to.”